Friday Stream of Consciousness – 59

O Holy Night is still the greatest Christmas song there is. Don’t even argue.

I can’t get over what Rob Parker said on ESPN’s First Take yesterday. He essentially said he wonders if Robert Griffin III is black enough because he has a white fiancée and may be a Republican. Then he says, essentially, “but he has braids. If you have braids, you’re a Brother.” Huh?

Robert Griffin III is the man.

I love talking about the implications of the Kingdom of God for the world today. I’m not OK with saying the Kingdom of God is all about improving earth today. Heaven is more than a utopian today someday, on earth.

Sadly, for too many Christians, heaven is a remote concept anyway. We who live in the last days need a more robust vision of heaven rather than opting for a more humanistic vision.

Is there a quirkier, less talked about, more fascinating biblical character than John the Baptist?

Vision is nearly always more powerful than need.

Showing people something and saying, “Wouldn’t you like to see more of that?” is a better and more effective tool than motivation at emotional gunpoint: If we don’t do this, this (insert bad thing) will happen. Having said that, the latter has it’s place on rare occasions.

Tonight I’m attending one of NVC’s biggest youth ministry events–Merry Christmas Madness. It has me remembering my own youth ministry days. Though I realized fairly early on I didn’t have the patience to do it long term, I continue to enjoy both teens and youth ministers. Energy and fun. Nice combination.

For that matter, is there anything more wonderful than impacting the life of a young person?

I’m convinced proper rest might solve a fourth of the world’s problems. We make so many poor decisions and hurt our bodies by simply not resting enough.

Spending significant time on planning ministry for January makes sure the church starts the year strongly at a time everyone is looking to start the year strongly.

I think more people would be willing to pay for quality news content if news outlets would make signing up and paying much easier…as in, within a click or two. Other helps might be to keep the price sane, and don’t give people pop-up ads in addition to having to pay. Give me pop-ups for free, or a clean web experience that I’m paying for.

Join me, Randy Harris, Rick Stedman and others at the National Preaching Summit in Indianapolis, March 11-12, 2013. It’s an event that is all about practical tools for preaching.

It’s hard to get excited about reading the editorial page when the whole newspaper is practically editorial. In such newspapers, the editorial page is merely polished amplification of the newspapers agenda.

Emily and I have started watching Downton Abbey on Hulu. The show is cast really well and the writing had real depth.

Our first child is finally suspicious of Santa. I have no idea how to handle that whole, “Why did you guys lie to me?” question that I know is coming. I guess the answer is, “Because it was more fun for us.” Probably not.

In some houses, Santa is the one who gives the good gifts. In others, it’s the parents–Santa gives the underwear and socks…as it should be. Why should we raise our kids to think what they really wanted came from the North Pole and they should thank Santa, while thinking mom and dad simply swung by Ross and bought them a bunch of stuff they neither want nor feel like they need? That’s weird to me.

Remember in all the hubbub of Christmas and healthy talk of the Kingdom here and now, we serve and worship an eternal Christ. He’s always been, He’s always going to be, and every knee will bow.

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Dr. Tim Spivey is Lead Planter of New Vintage Church in San Diego, California. He is the author of numerous articles and one book, "Jesus: The Powerful Servant." A sought after speaker for events, Tim also serves as Adjunct Professor of Religion at Pepperdine University. Tim serves as a church consultant, and his writings are featured on ChurchLeaders.com, Church Executive magazine, Faith Village, Sermon Central, and Giving Rocket.